The EO also amends EO No. 26 issued in 2017 particularly on the (i) coverage as to include ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs, other novel tobacco products and their components; (ii) expanded list of prohibited acts; (iii) standards of designated smoking/vaping areas; (iv) expansion of duties of persons-in-charge; (v) expansion of the smoking cessation program to include vaping; and (vi) expansion of the mandate of the Smoke-Free Task Force to include vapes.

The Department of Health (DOH) has been pushing for a ban on e-cigarettes, stating that there is still no evidence to support claims that the devices do not cause harmful effects on human health nor are they a better alternative to conventional nicotine products, such as tobacco cigarettes.

Go explained that smoking, in all forms and manner, is a public health issue and it adversely affects almost everyone around a smoker, even those who do not smoke at all. He said that this poses serious health risks and anyone admitted for smoking-related illnesses, particularly those with limited financial capacity, also puts pressure on government resources related to healthcare.

According to Go, he supports the President’s decision to regulate such products as the health of Filipinos should always be a top consideration in crafting policies regarding those products. He stressed the need for the public to be more cautious in using these products because of the limited knowledge available on its potential adverse effects.

“I echo the advice of health officials and experts for the public to refrain from using vapes or e-cigarettes as the knowledge on the products is still limited,” he said.

“This is one of our priorities in the Senate and I will not hesitate to sponsor such measure that would regulate e-cigarettes in the country,” he said.

The EO also provides that all e-liquids, solutions or refills forming components of ENDS/ENNDS or HTPs shall be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Meanwhile, all devices forming components of ENDS/ENNDS or HTPs shall be subject to the product standards imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and FDA. Other novel tobacco products shall be regulated by the Inter-Agency Committee-Tobacco (IAC-T).

The EO further provides that all establishments engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing and sale of these products will be required to secure a License to Operate from the FDA.